Disc player with rigid gripper arm and sled

ABSTRACT

A disc player has two opposite disc magazines with a plurality of disc holders which each receive a disc and are arranged one above the other in compartments. A transport arrangement movable in the direction of the stack of discs in the magazine conveys a desired disc with its associated disc holder between the compartment and a playback unit. The transport arrangement has a horizontally movable pulling-out arrangement provided with a carriage with a pick-up arm. In order to simplify the construction, the pick-up arm, which is rigidly linked to the carriage of the delivery arrangement, may be horizontally moved between and vertically moved within the disc magazines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a disc player having two disc magazines whichare located opposite one another and have a plurality of disc holderswhich are stacked one above the other in receiving compartments and eachreceive a disc, and having a transport device which can move in thedirection of the stacks of the two disc magazines in order to transfer adesired disc, with the associated disc holder, between the receivingcompartment and a playback unit, with the transport device encompassinga horizontally-traveling withdrawal device which includes a sled havinga gripper arm.

A disc-changing apparatus in which a vertically-traveling disc-removalapparatus is disposed between two vertical disc magazines which storedisc covers with discs, the apparatus supporting a disc cover gripperthat can travel horizontally on this removal device, is known from EP 0138 005 B1. This disc cover gripper is provided with two gripperdevices, of which one is selectively located in its ready position inthe left or right disc magazine, while the other gripper device holds aremoved disc cover in the center position, in which the disc is locatedabove the turntable of the playback device. Thus, each disc magazine isallocated a separate gripper device. Each gripper device encompasses twohook elements which can be operated electromagnetically when thedisc-removal apparatus is located in a first position or second positionfor removing a disc cover from the first or second disc magazine. Hence,on the one hand, the arrangement of two gripper devices and, on theother hand, the mechanical control of the movable gripper devices,dictate a considerable production outlay.

Moreover, EP 0 280 263 A2 discloses a disc player in which the discs aredeposited in two stacks and can be played in two playback stations. Theindividual discs can be played from two sides. They are not returned tothe same stack after being played. In this apparatus, an endlessconveyor belt is configured as a withdrawal device. The position of thewithdrawal device in this apparatus cannot be used to control theposition of the discs. With the slightest irregularities in thetransport of the discs, for example in the release of the discs from theplayback device, or vibrations of the system, unacceptable sensitivedisturbances are to be expected in operation.

Furthermore, EP 0 439 483 B1 discloses a disc player having two discmagazines located opposite one another and a transport device which canmove in the direction of the stack of the disc magazines in order toconvey a disc back and forth between the disc magazines and a playbackunit, the device also having two withdrawal devices which can becontrolled independently of one another and travel horizontally on thetransport device, and each have a gripper arm. Each gripper arm isseated in a sled so as to extend and retract, the sled being able to bemoved back and forth; in the initial position of the sled, the arm isheld in its retracted position by a spring-loaded bell-crank leverhaving an associated stop lever such that, when the sled moves out ofthe initial position, the arm can be brought into the extended positionby the bell-crank lever, in which position it engages a recess of a discholder for a disc. Consequently, each disc magazine is allocated amovable gripper arm that is to be controlled separately, whichstipulates a relatively costly construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to create a disc player of the typementioned at the outset which permits a simple and compact design forthe conveyance of a disc holder, with the desired disc, from therespective disc magazine to the respective playback unit and back.

In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished in thatthe gripper arm is rigidly connected to the sled of the withdrawaldevice and can travel horizontally between the disc magazines andvertically in them.

The essential advantage achieved with the invention is the possibilityof conveying a disc from both the one and the other disc magazine with asingle gripper arm, resulting in an relatively small overall size of thedisc player. No electrical actuators, sensors or trailing cables arenecessary on the transport device. A further essential simplificationresults from the rigid attachment of the gripper arm to the sled of thewithdrawal device, because this eliminates a separate pivoting ordisplacement device for the gripper arm regarding its position withrespect to the withdrawal device. In the selection of a specific disc,the gripper arm is therefore controlled by a control unit of the discplayer in such a way that it first moves into the disc magazine in whichthe selected disc is located, and then travels inside the disc magazineuntil it reaches the position of the desired disc, in which position thegripper can remove the disc holder, with the selected disc, from thedisc magazine. The gripper arm subsequently conveys the disc holder,with the selected disc, into a position on the transport device which isoriented toward the turntable of the playback unit, and the transportdevice then conveys the disc to the playback unit. After the disc hasbeen played, it is deposited again in the relevant disc magazine withthe aid of the transport device and the gripper arm.

So that the gripper arm can be moved up and down in the individual discmagazines in a simple manner, according to an advantageous embodiment ofthe invention, the gripper arm can travel vertically out of its assumedselection position in one or the other disc magazine and into superposedrecesses of the disc holders of the respective disc magazine.

To achieve easy removal of the selected disc from the relevant discmagazine, according to a further embodiment of the invention, thegripper arm can be moved out of its selection position in one or theother disc magazine and into a withdrawal position for removing aspecific disc, in which position it is aligned with an advancement lugchamfered at half the height of the disc holder and adjoining the recessof the disc holder.

For precise orientation of a selected disc with respect to the playbackunit, in accordance with an advantageous modification of the invention,the gripper arm can travel, by means of a disc holder recognition deviceassociated with the transport device, into a centering position whichfixes the selected disc, with the disc holder, concentrically withrespect to the turntable of the playback unit.

In an alternative solution to the object of the invention, the transportdevice is allocated a disc holder recognition device having a sensingelement such that, when a disc holder removed from a disc magazineimpacts against the sensing element, the gripper arm which is rigidlyconnected to the sled of the withdrawal device travels into a centeringposition which fixes the selected disc, with the disc holder,concentrically with respect to the turntable of the playback unit. Withthis measure, an exact orientation of the selected disc with respect tothe playback unit is always assured with a low structural outlay.

A further alternative solution to the object of the invention isdistinguished by the fact that a housing is provided which comprises abottom plate and a cover plate that are connected to each other solelyby connecting elements. This type of housing can be producedparticularly cost-effectively. The connecting elements in this instanceare preferably configured as rods, angled sheet metal, profiles or thelike. Panelling elements are advisably provided between the connectingelements of the bottom plate and the cover plate of the housing.

In order to be able to use disc magazines of different heights, in amodification of the invention the cover plate can be removed and thelength of the connecting elements can be changed. At least onestabilizing element is preferably provided between the cover plate andthe bottom plate in order to increase the rigidity of the housing.

In a further alternative solution of the object of the invention, thedisc magazines are inserted into the housing from the top side of anassociated housing so as to be vertically exchangeable. With thismeasure, no free space to the side of the disc player is necessary forthe exchange process of the disc magazines.

According to another alternative solution of the object of theinvention, the transport device can travel vertically on a rotatablydriven support rod by means of a drive, with the rod driving the sled ofthe withdrawal device connected rigidly to a gripper arm by way of agear. With this measure, a drive system which can be accommodated in anextremely small space results for the transport device and thewithdrawal device, with the operation of the transport device and thewithdrawal device being effected without electrical drive elementsdisposed inside the transport device. The transport device, which isseated to slide on the support rod, can advisably be moved up and downby means of a belt drive having a drive motor which can reverse itsdirection of rotation. Of course, a cable pull drive, spindle drive orthe like can be used instead of the belt drive.

In order to attain reliable guidance of the transport device, inaccordance with a modification of the invention the transport device hasa lateral notch which extends around a vertical, housing-secured guiderod secured to the housing so as to slide.

The drive motor of the transport device preferably has on its shaft acoding disk which cooperates with a sensor that generates positioningpulses. Consequently, it is ensured that the transport device is heldprecisely and division-true in front of the receiving compartments ofthe disc magazines. A sensor for determining the initial position of thetransport device directly above the playback unit is advisablyassociated with the transport device.

To attain a reliably-functioning drive of the gripper arm, according toa further embodiment of the invention, the rotatably-seated support rodof the transport device is connected by way of a sliding clutch and agear to the drive motor which can reverse its direction of rotation, andthe support rod supports a toothed wheel which is displaceable on thesupport rod inside the transport device and is fixed against relativerotation, and meshes with at least one toothed wheel that engages atoothed rack disposed on the sled of the gripper arm.

The support rod is advisably fixedly connected to a coding disk whichruns by means of stationary sensors for generating switching pulses forthe drive motor of the support rod. The coding disk is preferablyconfigured as a perforated or marking disk.

In accordance with an advantageous modification of the invention, thedisc holder recognition device encompasses a mechanical sensor which isguided in a spring-loaded manner in the housing of the transport deviceand projects into the path of movement of the disc holder; during impactby the disc holder, this sensor limits the rotational movement of thetoothed wheel disposed on the support rod. A pin which can move througha passageway in the underside of the sensor in the inoperative state ofthe sensor, and, in the operative state of the sensor, rests against astop projecting into the passageway in the centered position of the discholder with respect to the playback unit, is advisably provided on thetop side of the toothed wheel disposed on the support rod. Furthermore,the sensor preferably has in the front region on its top side a webwhich, in the inoperative state of the sensor, rests in a spring-loadedmanner against a stop secured to the housing. A stop secured to thehousing advisably rests against the housing-secured stop for the web ofthe sensor in the region opposite the support rod; a compression springwhich rests with its other end against the web of the sensor issupported against the first-mentioned stop.

So that the sensor can recognize a disc holder received by the transportdevice, in an embodiment of the invention the sensor guided on a holdingelement extends with its front region beyond a housing-secured guiderail for the disc holder.

For reliable reception of a disc holder in the transport device, in afurther advantageous embodiment of the subject of the invention, thehousing of the transport device has a support arm having a holding railfor the disc holder, the rail being disposed opposite thehousing-secured guide rail, with at least one spring element whichsecures the disc holder in its centered position with respect to theplayback unit being associated with the holding rail. The spring elementis advisably molded onto the holding rail, and latches in an associatednotch of the disc holder. As an alternative, the spring elementpreferably comprises a U-shaped yoke whose legs are inserted intodepressions on the support arm, and whose web has a bead in the centerwhich engages a notch located on the corresponding longitudinal side ofthe disc holder.

To facilitate the exchange of discs in the disc magazines, in anadvantageous embodiment of the invention, each disc magazine inserted indrawer fashion into the housing from the front side of the housing issecured in its position by at least one detachable connection. Thedetachable connection between the disc magazine and the housing isadvisably configured as a clip connection.

For secure holding of the disc magazines, the housing preferably has twooppositely-located guide rails for receiving each disc magazine; theserails correspond with a corresponding groove in the bottom wall or coverwall, respectively, of the disc magazine. Formed in each guide rail is aclip tongue having a projecting clip latch which latches in anassociated opening in the bottom wall or cover wall, respectively, ofthe disc magazine.

It is understood that the features cited above and explained below canbe used not only in the disclosed combination, but also in othercombinations or alone, without exiting the scope of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The concept underlying the invention is described in detail, inconjunction with an embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in thefollowing description. Shown are in:

FIG. 1 a view in perspective of a disc player,

FIG. 2 a cross-section through the disc player according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a rear view of the disc player according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 an enlarged representation of the detail IV with a gripper armlocated in the withdrawal position,

FIG. 5 the representation according to FIG. 4 with a gripper arm locatedin the selection position,

FIG. 6 a longitudinal section through the disc player according to FIG.1 with a removed disc magazine,

FIG. 7 an enlarged representation of the detail VII according to FIG. 6with a disc holder located in the transport device,

FIG. 8 the representation according to FIG. 7 without a disc holder, and

FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment of the disc player according to FIG. 1with disc magazines which can be inserted into the housing from above soas to be exchanged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The disc player equipped with a central control unit, not shown, bymeans of which information stored on the discs can be read out andreproduced, includes a housing 1 which has an associated operatingpanel, not shown, that includes different keys, for example a discselection key, a disc playback key and a stop key. Disc magazines 2 aredisposed opposite one another and laterally in the housing 1. Atransport device 3 for a disc holder 4 which receives a disc is disposedso as to travel up and down in the space between the disc magazines 2. Aplayback unit 5 having a turntable, a motor for rotating the turntableand a playback head, none shown in detail, is fixedly disposed betweenand beneath the two oppositely-located disc magazines 2.

The disc magazines 2 are constructed identically, and include aplurality of receiving compartments 6 disposed one above the other forstoring a corresponding plurality of disc holders 4 which each receive adisc. The disc holder 4 is secured in its position in the receivingcompartment 6 by at least one spring element 7 disposed on the discmagazine 2. In this position the disc holder 4 projects so far beyondthe two sides of the disc magazine 2 from which it can be withdrawn thatit can be gripped by a withdrawal device 8 of the transport device 3.Each disc magazine 2 can be inserted in drawer fashion into the housing1 from the front side of the housing 1 so as to be exchanged. Thehousing 1 comprises a rectangular bottom plate 9 and a rectangular coverplate 10 which is disposed at a specific distance therefrom, the twoplates being connected to each other by means of connecting elements 11configured as rods and disposed at the corners. The cover plate 10 isremovable, and the connecting elements 11 can be changed in length, sothat disc magazines 2 of different heights can be used. Moreover, astabilizing element 12 configured as a rod extends between the bottomplate 9 and the cover plate 10 in order to increase the rigidity of thehousing 1. Guide rails 13 for each disc magazine 2, which correspondwith a corresponding groove 14 in the bottom wall 15 or in the coverwall 16, respectively, of the disc magazine, are disposed opposite oneanother on the inside of the bottom plate 9 and on the inside of thecover plate 10. Formed into each guide rail 13, in the direction ofinsertion of the disc magazine 2, is a clip tongue 17 having aprojecting clip latch 18 which latches in an associated opening 19 inthe bottom wall 15 or the cover wall 16, respectively, of the discmagazine. The clip connections release automatically when the discmagazine 2 is removed from the housing 1.

On its side facing the transport device 3, the disc holder 4 has athroughgoing recess 20 in each end region. An advancement lug 21 whichis chamfered outwardly and from below at half the height of the discholder 4 adjoins each recess 20, and a free passageway 22 to the recess20 is located beneath this lug. Corresponding to the position of thedisc holder in one or the other disc magazine 2, a gripper arm 23 of thewithdrawal device 8 of the transport device 3 can travel into one of therecesses 20 through the passageway 22. By means of appropriate controlof the transport device 3, the gripper arm 23 can then travel verticallyso far into the superposed recesses 20 of the disc holders 4 that thegripper arm is located behind the advancement lug 21 of the disc holder4 with the selected disc. The gripper arm 23 subsequently conveys thedisc holder 4 to a support arm 25 attached to the housing 24 of thetransport device 3, with the path of travel of the gripper arm 23 beingcontrolled by a disc holder recognition device 26, which is associatedwith the transport device 3, in such a way that the disc holder 4assumes a centered position which fixes the selected disc concentricallywith respect to the turntable of the playback unit 5. The transportdevice 3 subsequently conveys the disc holder 4 to the playback unit 5,in which the reading out of information takes place. After theinformation has been read out, the disc is conveyed in analogous fashionback into its associated receiving compartment 6 by the transport device3. Then the transport device 3 returns to its initial position directlyabove the playback unit 5, with the initial position being monitored bya sensor 27.

The gripper arm 23 is rigidly formed on a sled 28 which can be movedback and forth, by means of a drive 30, on a support rod 29 disposed inthe housing 24 of the transport device 3. At each end side, the supportrod 29 supports a stop 31 for the sled 28. Four possible end positions Ithrough IV of the sled 28 are illustrated in FIG. 2. The end position Iof the sled 28 is determined by the contact of the sled 28 with theright stop 31 of the support rod 29, in which the gripper arm 23 cantravel vertically in the recesses 20 of the disc holder 4 of the rightdisc magazine 2, the recesses being located one above the other. If thegripper arm 23 assumes a withdrawal position behind the advancement lug21 of the disc holder 4 containing the selected disc, the sled 28travels into the end position II, which is determined by the disc holderrecognition device 26 and in which the disc holder 4 is oriented withrespect to the playback unit 5. If, in contrast, the gripper arm 23located in the right disc magazine 2 assumes the position behind a freepassageway 22 of a disc holder 4, the sled 28 travels into the endposition III, in which the gripper arm 23 can travel vertically in thesuperposed recesses 20 of the disc holder 4 of the left disc magazine 2.If the gripper arm 23 in the left disc magazine 2 assumes a positionbehind the free passageway 22 of a disc holder 4, the sled 28 can againtravel into the end position I. If, in contrast, the gripper arm 23 inthe left disc magazine assumes a position behind the advancement lug 21of a disc holder 4, the sled 28 travels into the end position IV, whichis determined by the disc holder recognition device 26 and in which thedisc holder 4 is oriented with respect to the playback unit 5.

Located centrally behind the disc magazine 2, in the rear region of thehousing 1, is a vertically-extending support rod 32, on which thetransport device 3 can move so as to slide up and down by means of adrive 33. The drive 33 encompasses a toothed belt 35, which extendsparallel to the support rod 32, is guided by means of guide rollers 34,and is connected to the housing 24 of the transport device 3 by way of aclamping holder 36. The lower guide roller 34 is seated on the shaft 37of a drive motor 38 which can reverse its direction of rotation. Theshaft 37 of the drive motor 38 further supports a coding disk 39, whichis configured as a blade wheel whose blades run in a sensor 40configured as a forked coupler for generating positioning pulses. Anexact allocation of the transport device 3, and thus of the gripper arm23, to the advancement lugs 21 or the passageway 22 of the disc holders4 in the disc magazines 2 is achieved with the aid of the positioningpulses. In order to stabilize the transport device 3, a notch 41 whichextends so as to slide around a guide rod 42 extending between thebottom plate 9 and the cover plate 10 of the housing 1 is located to theside of the housing of the transport device.

The support rod 32 is rotatably seated in the bottom plate 9 and in thecover plate 10, and connected by way of a sliding clutch 43 and a wormgear pair 44 to a drive motor 45 that can reverse its direction ofrotation. A coding disk 46, which is configured as a marking disk andruns by means of stationary sensors 47 configured as forked couplers forgenerating switching pulses for the drive motor 45, is attached to thesliding clutch 43. The drive motor 45 is switched off with the aid ofthe coding disk 46, and the respective end position of the sled 28 orthe gripper arm 23 is monitored. A displaceable toothed wheel 49 whichis fixed against relative rotation is seated inside the housing 24 ofthe transport device 3; this wheel meshes with two oppositely-located,stationary toothed wheels 50, which can be brought into engagement witha toothed rack 51 seated on the sled 28 of the gripper arm 23.Therefore, the back-and-forth motion of the sled 28 is produced by adifferent rotational movement of the support rod 32.

The disc holder recognition device 26 encompasses a spring-impinged,mechanical sensor 52, which projects into the path of movement of thedisc holder 4 guided on a housing-secured guide rail 53 of the transportdevice 3. The sensor 52 is supported so as to slide on the guide rail53, a holding element 54 secured to the housing and the toothed wheel49. Located on the top side of the toothed wheel 49 is a pin 55, withwhich a free passageway 56 in the underside of the sensor 52 isassociated. Projecting into the passageway 56 is a stop 57, againstwhich the pin 55 comes to rest, on the right side or left side, in thestate of the sensor 52 being operated by the disc holder, and the stopthus stops the rotational movement of the toothed wheel 49 andconsequently the movement of the sled 28 in the end position II or IV,as a function of the side from which the pin 55 impacts against the stop57. If the sensor 52 is not impacted by a disc holder 4, the pin 55 canmove through the free passageway 56 of the sensor, by means of which thetoothed wheel 49 is driven until the sled 28 has reached the endposition I or III, depending on the direction of rotation in which thetoothed wheel 49 was driven. In the illustration of the sled 28 shown insolid lines in FIG. 2, the sled is located in the end position II, inwhich the pin 55 of the toothed wheel 49 rests against the left side ofthe stop 57 of the sensor 52. If, for reasons of measuring technology,the path of the pin 55 from a left-side contact to a right-side contactwith the stop 57 is too long to fix the sled 28 in the end position IV,a further pin 55' which, by means of its right-side contact with thestop 57, determines the end position IV of the sled 28, is disposed onthe toothed wheel 49, at a corresponding distance from the pin 55. Inthe front region of its top side, the sensor 52 has a web 58, againstwhich a compression spring 59 is supported whose other end rests againsta housing-secured stop 60 in the region of the support rod 32. Ahousing-secured stop 66, against which the web 58 of the sensor 52 restsin the state in which the sensor 52 is not impacted by the disc holder4, is located opposite the stop 60 at a corresponding distance.

A holding rail 61 for the disc holder 4 is secured to the free end ofthe support arm 25, opposite the housing-secured guide rail 53 of thetransport device 3. Associated with the holding rail 61 is a centralspring element 62, which is configured as a U-shaped yoke, and whoselegs 63 are inserted into recesses on the support arm 25 and whose webhas a bead 64 in the center which engages a corresponding notch 65 ofthe disc holder 4 in the centered position of the disc holder 4 withrespect to the playback unit 5. The disc holder is consequently fixedimmovably in its centered position.

In the alternative embodiment of the housing 1 shown in FIG. 9, the discmagazines 2 can be inserted into the housing 1 from above followingremoval of the cover plate 10. In this instance, the cover wall 16 ofeach disc magazine 2 is provided with a fold-down carrying handle 66.This type of exchangeability of the disc magazines 2 is a particularlyuseful feature if no more free space is available in the horizontalperipheral region of the housing 1.

We claim:
 1. A disc player having two disc magazines which are locatedopposite one another and have a plurality of disc holders which arestacked one above the other in respective receiving compartments andeach of the plurality of disc holders receive a disc, and said discplayer having a transport device which moves in the direction of thestacks of the plurality of disc holders of the two disc magazines inorder to transfer a desired disc, with the associated disc holder,between the respective receiving compartment and a playback unit, saidtransport device having a horizontally-traveling withdrawal device whichincludes a sled that has a single gripper arm, said single gripper armbeing rigidly connected to the sled and serves both of said discmagazines, said single gripper arm being arranged to travel verticallyfrom an assumed selection position in one or the other disc magazineinto superposed recesses formed in the disc holders of the respectivedisc magazine.
 2. The disc player according to claim 1, wherein saidsingle gripper arm moves from the selection position in one or the otherdisc magazine into a withdrawal position for removing a specific discholder, in which position said single gripper arm is aligned with anadvancement lug which adjoins the recess of the disc holder and whereinthe advancement lug is chamfered at half the height of the disc holder.3. The disc player according to claim 2, wherein said single gripper armtravels, by means of a disc holder recognition device associated withthe transport device, into a centering position which fixes the selecteddisc, with the selected disc holder, concentrically with respect to aturntable of the playback unit.
 4. The disc player according to claim 3,further comprising a sensor associated with the disc holder recognitiondevice that, when said sensor is impacted by the selected disc holderremoved from one of said two disc magazines, the single gripper armrigidly connected to said sled of the withdrawal device travels into acentering position which fixes the selected disc, with said selecteddisc holder, concentrically with respect to the turntable of theplayback unit.
 5. The disc player according to claim 3, wherein saiddisc holder recognition device comprises a mechanical sensor which isguided in spring-loaded fashion in a housing of said transport device,the sensor projects into the path of movement of said selected discholder and limits the rotational movement of a toothed wheel disposed ona support rod of the transport device when the sensor is impacted bysaid selected disc holder.
 6. The disc player according to claim 5,further comprising a pin on a top side of said toothed wheel disposed onthe support rod said pin moves through a passageway in an underside ofsaid sensor in an inoperative state of said sensor and which restsagainst a stop projecting into said passageway in the centered positionof said selected disc holder with respect to said playback unit.
 7. Thedisc player according to claim 5, wherein said sensor has a web locatedin a front region of a top side thereof, said web rests in spring-loadedfashion against a first housing-secured stop in the inoperative state ofsaid sensor.
 8. The disc player according to claim 7, further comprisesa second housing-secured stop located opposite said firsthousing-secured stop for the web of said sensor, said secondhousing-secured stop being located in the region of said support rod,and a compression spring supported against said second housing-securedstop at one end and which rests against the web of said sensor at theother end.
 9. The disc player according to of claim 5, wherein saidsensor is guided on a holding element and has a front region whichextends beyond a guide rail secured on the housing of said transportdevice for said disc holder.
 10. The disc player according to claim 9,wherein said housing of said transport device has a support arm with aholding rail for said plurality of disc holders, said support arm beinglocated opposite the housing-secured guide rail, wherein at least onespring element which secures said selected disc holder in the centeredposition with respect to said playback unit is associated with saidholding rail.
 11. A disc player according to claim 10, wherein saidspring element is injection-molded onto said holding rail and latches inan associated notch of said selected disc holder.
 12. A disc playeraccording to claim 10, wherein said spring element comprises a U-shapedyoke with legs that are inserted into recesses on said support arm andwith a web that has a bead in the center which engages a notch locatedon the corresponding longitudinal side of said selected disc holder. 13.The disc player according to claim 2, further comprising a housing whichcomprises a bottom plate and a cover plate which are connected to oneanother solely by means of connecting elements, said cover plate beingremovable and the connecting elements being changeable in length. 14.The disc player according to claim 13, wherein said connecting elementsare configured as rods, angled sheet metal.
 15. The disc playeraccording to claim 13, further comprises panelling elements between saidconnecting elements of said bottom plate and said cover plate of saidhousing.
 16. The disc player according to claim 13, further comprises atleast one stabilizing element arrangement between said cover plate andsaid bottom plate.
 17. The disc player according to claim 13, whereinthe two disc magazines can be inserted into the housing from the topside of the housing so as to be exchanged vertically.
 18. The discplayer according to claim 1, wherein the transport device travelsvertically, by means of a drive, on a rotatably-driven support rod whichdrives said sled of the withdrawal device by way of a gear, said sledbeing rigidly connected to said single gripper arm.
 19. The disc playeraccording to claim 1, wherein said transport device is seated so as toslide on a support rod and moves up and down via a belt drive having adrive motor, said drive motor can reverse the direction of rotation ofthe belt drive.
 20. The disc player according to claim 1, wherein saidtransport device has a lateral notch which extends around a vertical,housing-secured guide rod so as to slide.
 21. The disc player accordingto claim 1, wherein a drive motor of the transport device supports on ashaft thereof a coding disk which cooperates with a sensor thatgenerates positioning pulses.
 22. The disc player according to claim 1,further comprising a sensor associated with said transport device fordetermining the initial position of said transport device directly abovesaid playback unit.
 23. The disc player according to claim 1, whereinsaid transport device has a rotatably-seated support rod connected byway of a sliding coupling and a gear to a drive motor which can reversethe direction of rotation of the rotatably-seated support rod, wherein,inside said transport device, said support rod supports a toothed wheelwhich can be displaced on said support rod and is fixed against relativerotation and meshes with at least one other toothed wheel which engagesa toothed rack disposed on said sled of said single gripper arm.
 24. Thedisc player according to claim 23, wherein said support rod is fixedlyconnected to a coding disk which runs by means of stationary sensors forgenerating shutoff pulses for said drive motor of said support rod. 25.The disc player according to claim 24, wherein said coding disk isconfigured as a perforated or marking disk.
 26. A disc player accordingto claim 1, wherein each of said two disc magazines inserted in drawerfashion into a housing from a front side of the housing is secured inits position by at least one detachable connection.
 27. A disc playeraccording to claim 26, wherein said at least one detachable connectionbetween the respective disc magazine and the housing is configured as aclip connection.
 28. A disc player according to claim 1, furthercomprising a housing having two oppositely-located guide rails forreceiving one of said two disc magazines, said rails correspond with acorresponding groove in a bottom wall or in a cover wall, respectively,of said two disc magazines.
 29. A disc player according to claim 28,further comprising a clip tongue having a projecting clip latch which isformed into each of said guide rails, said clip latch latches in anassociated opening in the bottom wall or the cover wall, respectively,of said two disc magazines.